Windows 7 detects HDD, won't format or install

[fightingpenguin]

Hi, I recently received a new XFX 780i in the mail via their RMA service. I expected when I hooked it up to have to do a System Repair. After the repair, something went wrong and the boot manager was not detected. Went to repair again and Windows 7 was missing from the list of OS's. Decided to try to salvage what was left on the remaining partitions and do a fresh install on the main one.

I go to format the drive and I received an error saying that it could not format the partition, error code 0x80070057. I received this same message when I try to install the OS.

I tried a brand new Seagate 1TB and received the same error.

I tried a IDE WD 120GB HDD thinking there may be something wrong with the SATA controllers drivers with the same result.

Do I need to use the load drivers option when I am at the partition screen of installation? I have visited the Seagate website and they say they don't have drivers because the OS and motherboard contains the necessary information.

So which drivers should I load? I tried to load the nForce drivers (I have a nvidia northbridge) and I can find the SATA controller drivers but the result is the same.

Can someone maybe shed some light on what this error is about. I have read elsewhere people have issues with this error when dealing with Windows Update, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Thanks in advance, sry bout the long post.

- CJ

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure you have the latest BIOS version update from Support Downloads webpage for your model computer/mobo.

Try setting your SATA controller in BIOS setup to AHCI first, then IDE if necessary.

Remove all but 2gb RAM to try install. Swap RAM, Test your RAM.

 

[fightingpenguin]

No AHCI

I did some research and I found that my motherboard doesn't support SATA AHCI, which would mean I would not need to load controller drivers when installing Windows, correct? I am going to try and update BIOS again tomorrow and check RAM.

 

[gregrocker]

I would be surprised if you need to load any controller drivers into Win7 installer. It is that complete.

You are on the right track verifying you have the latest BOS version and removing all but 2gb RAM to try install, then swapping RAM, and testing RAM with WMD for 2 passes or memtest86 for 5-6 passes.

You should also have tech support for that mobo install to help get it running, and retail Win7 also comes with tech support. I like to milk these for everything they're worth - sometimes little, sometimes more than the product's value.

When you first started up the new mobo, was there anything to the error message besides "bootmgr is missing?"

 

[H2k]

Same problem i hav when iam trying to install win 7 on my dell inspiron6400 whenever setup goes to format the hdd partion which i chose to install win 7 getting same error saying that it could not format the partition, error code 0x80070057.

i try three diffrent HDD and same problem came i also try to install XP and same problem i face. and if i download a bios from Dell but how can i install it coz now i hav now windows running on my Laptop. Plzz help me out.

 

[gregrocker]

Can you trigger the Dell Recovery partition to return your computer to factory condition in order to Update BIOS?

If Recovery partition will not run using cNTRL + f11 or whatever key combination they tell you to use, then you have nothing to lose and can wipe the HD which might stop one of the utility/boot partitions from interfering with install.

Boot Win7 install DVD Repair console or Repair CD, choose Command Line, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (replace # with Win7 HD)
CLEAN ALL (zeroes HD for deepest clean, takes about an hour per 320gb, drop "all" if you want shorter)
EXIT

Now boot back into the installer to attempt Custom install, using Drive Options to create New partition and Format.

 

[Dinesh]

Solved Hard Drive - Unable to Select or Delete during Installation - Vista Forums

 

[theog]

Take a look at Usasma post here:

Error Code 0x80070057 when installing Ultimate 64bit on RAID-0 - Vista Forums